“Repentance for the forgiveness of sins” is a theme that occurs all through the Bible, because there can be no forgiveness where there is no repentance. For God’s part the forgiveness is there, of course, but we can’t receive it so long as we refuse to repent.

In our day it’s become “cool” to question God’s point of view about sin. Words like “irreverent” and “edgy” are used to describe award-winning works of art that ridicule Biblical standards of morality. We dare to assert that our choices of sin are nobody’s business, including God’s.

May God have mercy on the victims of such a culture, where children are taught to reject the right of the Judge of all the earth to pass judgment, and question His opinions.

The word “confess” means to agree with God, to say the same thing God says. When God says, “That’s terrible; you should stop doing that,” and I say, “I have a right to do this; I’m going to keep doing it and I don’t believe it’s bad,” there is no repentance. I’m not confessing, I’m disagreeing with God.

But when I say, “Yes, Lord, I see that it’s bad and I want to quit, but I don’t know how. Forgive me! Deliver me! Help me!” now I’ve taken the first step. I’ve agreed with God, and I find that forgiveness is available to me for Jesus’ sake. The power of the Holy Spirit can go to work in me.

Lord, I know You’re right. I’m done disagreeing with You. Forgive me. Deliver me. Help me now to live Your way. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles